For purposes of this article, a "golf cart" is defined in § 625 ILCS 5/1-123.9 and means a vehicle specifically designed and intended for the purposes of transporting one (1) or more persons and their golf clubs or maintenance equipment while engaged in the playing of golf, supervising the play or maintaining the condition of the grounds on a public or private golf course.

B.

For purposes of this article, a "recreational off-highway vehicle" shall be defined as provided in § 625 ILCS 5/1-168.8 and shall mean any motorized off-highway device designed to travel primarily off-highway, 64 inches or less in width, having a manufacturer's dry weight of 2,000 pounds or less, traveling on 4 or more non-highway tires, designed with a non-straddle seat and a steering wheel for steering control, except equipment such as lawnmowers.

C.

For purposes of this article, a "golf cart" and a "recreational off-highway vehicle" specifically does not include all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and any other vehicle which is not described within the foregoing definitions of "golf carts" or "recreational off-highway vehicles".

D.

"City Streets" shall mean only those city streets designated in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated herein, by this referenced, located within the boundaries of the City of Carmi.

E.

"State roads" include Illinois Route 1 and Illinois Route 14.

F.

"County roads" include any roads outside the boundaries of the City limits.

Requirements:

All persons operating a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle on the designated streets of the City must comply with the following requirements:

A.

Proof of ownership.

B.

Proof of liability insurance.

C.

Must display City registration on rear of vehicle.

D.

Must be inspected by City Police Chief or his designated representative.

E.

Must be equipped with seatbelts (recreational off-highway vehicle), a windshield, horn, brakes, turn signals, a steering wheel apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, red reflectorized warning devices in the rear, a slow moving vehicle emblem (as required by other vehicles in § 625 ILCS 5/12-709) on the rear of the vehicle, a headlight that emits a white light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front, a tail lamp that emits a red light visible from at least one hundred (100) feet from the rear, and brake lights. When operated on a roadway, a golf cart or a recreational off-highway vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted.

F.

Must obey all traffic laws of the State of Illinois and the City of Carmi.

G.

Must be 18 years of age or older.

H.

Can be driven on only those streets designated on Exhibit A attached hereto.

I.

Must have a valid driver’s license.

J.

Must not exceed 25 miles per hour.

K.

Crossing of State highways will only be allowed at Main and Main Cross St, Main and Walnut St, Main and Church St, and Main and Plum St.

L.

Golf carts and recreational off-highway vehicles shall not be operated in inclement weather nor when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog, or other conditions, or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of five hundred (500) feet.

Golf carts and recreational off-highway vehicles may not be operated on sidewalks or other public property not accessible to or authorized to vehicular traffic.

O.

Golf carts or recreational off-highway vehicles may not be operated on streets and highways and roads under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation (Illinois Route 1 and 14) or the County Highway Department.

Permits:

A.

No person shall operate a motorized golf cart or a recreational off-highway vehicle without obtaining a permit from the City Clerk as provided herein. Permits shall be granted for a period of one (1) year and may be renewed annually. The cost of a permit is Thirty Five Dollars ($35.00). Insurance coverage is to be verified in effect by the City Clerk when renewing the permits.

B.

Every application for a permit shall be made on a form supplied by the City and shall contain the following information:

The name and address of applicant.

Name of liability insurance carrier.

The serial number, make, model and description of the golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle.

Proof of ownership.

Signed waiver of liability by applicant releasing the City from any and all future claims resulting from the operation of their golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle pursuant to this article or any other Ordinance of the City of Carmi.

Photostatic copy of applicable liability insurance coverage card specifically for the golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle to be operated on City Streets.

Such other information as the City may require.

C.

No permit shall be granted unless the following conditions are met:

The golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle must be inspected by the Chief of Police (or designee) to insure that the vehicle is safe to operate on City Streets and is in compliance with the requirements of this Article.

Any handicapped applicant must submit a certificate signed by a physician that he is a handicapped applicant and is able to safely operate a motorized golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle on the roadways designated.

The applicant must provide evidence of insurance in compliance with the provisions of Illinois Statutes regarding minimum liability insurance for passenger motor vehicles to be operated on the roads of the State of Illinois.

D.

A golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle will be allowed to be driven to the police department to have the vehicle inspected and permitted, if the requestor has called ahead and arranged with the Chief of Police (or designee) a specific meeting time.

Enforcement:

A.

The City may suspend or revoke a permit granted hereunder upon a finding that the holder thereof has violated any of the provisions of this article or if there is evidence that the permit holder cannot safely operate the motorized golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle on the designated roadways.

B.

Every person operating a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle pursuant to permit hereunder on designated City streets has all the rights and duties applicable to a driver of any other vehicle pursuant to the State highway traffic laws and regulations except when those provisions cannot reasonably be applied to motorized golf carts or recreational off-highway vehicles.

C.

Any person who violates any provision of this article shall upon conviction be subject to a fine of not less than seventy-five dollars ($75.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) and the costs of prosecution. A second conviction shall result in suspension of permit for the remainder of the calendar year.

D.

Upon conviction of operating a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle on a state highway, other than crossing at the designated locations, shall result in a fine no less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) plus court costs. A first conviction shall result in suspension of permit for the remainder of the calendar year.

Effective Date:

This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval and publication, as provided by law.

Passed on roll call by the City Council, and approved by the Mayor, this 18th day of June, 2012.

Exhibit "A" - Attachment for Ordinance No. 1458

City streets shall mean all those city streets located within the boundaries of the City of Carmi, Illinois except for Illinois Route 1, Illinois Route 14 and Commerce st.